Cotton picking apparatus



May 31, 1949. P. w. SPELL COTTON PICKING APPARATUS 1O Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 25 1944 ML 0 Q E gwucwvior Q Q W6PE L y 1, 1949. P. w. SPELLCOTTON PICKING APPARATUS 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil ed Jan. 25, 1944 y 1949-P. w. SPELL CQTTON PICKING APPARATUS 10 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 25,1944 mum mm by 9M sww QM mm QM mww 3 QQ \QE 5 E grvucwvbc'b Pee/3y W.SPELL Ni @Q May 31, 1949. P. w. SPELL COTTON PICKING APPARATUS l0Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 25, 1944 m W M May 31, 1949. P. w. SPELLCOTTON PICKING APPARATUS l0 Sheeis-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 25, 1944 Km Nb vmI l l I I I II QNvvm May 31, 1949. w, SPELL 2,471,842

COTTON PICKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Q I/ In 5m a R e, 8

HQ 7 I N8'\F o I I a 9 Q. i

a: m 6 g g 4. I N G O 8 R LJ a l I i v m '8 a I' 0 I. 5

& I a m I! 8 [a m is n Y t' '4E a ca 2 i i A g i z (9 l c: cf: pk k5 kNR? 5 k a a) o 2 Q x: k A v G f" e) v.

p r; L C a G1 O, n r; a x S: Zlwucm fom r; j v P5 W SPELL ;.3:

May 31, 1949. P. w. SPELL COTTON PICKING APPARATUS Filed Jar z. 25, 194410 Sheets-$heet 7 May 31, 1949. P. w. SPELL COTTON PIGKING APPARATUS l0Sheets-Sheec 8 Filed Jan. 25, 1944 P. w. SPELL 2,471,842

10 Sheets-Sheet 9 I l I I I I I l l I I l I I I I I 1 I I l I l I I LMay 31, 1949.

COTTON PDICKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1944 I I l i 9 I I May 31,1949.P. w. SPEL L COTTON PICKING APPARATUS 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 25,1944 .QN v :1 %\.N QWN H RN gm Nb v Patented May 31, 1949 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE COTTON PICKING APPARATUS Perry W. Spell, Roseboro, N. 0.

Application January 25, 1944, Serial No. 519,656

Claims. (Cl. 56-12) This invention relates to cotton picking apparatus.

It has been proposed to pick cotton from cotton plants by introducinginto the plants sets of parallel horizontal rotating spindles which, asthey contact the bolls, will wind the fibers of the cotton on thespindles and thus gather the cot,- ton from the bolls. These machineshave been reasonably successful so far as the actual picking of thecotton is concerned, but the subsequent gathering of the cotton from thespindles is accomplished only with substantial difficulty.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a cottonpicking apparatus wherein the actual picking of the cotton from theplants is accomplished by bringing rotating spindles into contact withthe cotton in the bolls, and to provide novel means for readily removingand recovering the cotton from the spindles.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the actualpicking is performed with the spindles rotating in one direction, whilethe removal of the cotton is accomplished with the spindles rotating inthe opposite direction, thus greatly facilitating the removal of thecotton from the spindles.

A further object is to provide novel means for effecting a flow of airtoward the free ends of the spindles to accomplish the removal of thepicked cotton from the spindles.

A further object is to provide novel means for maintaining the spindlesperpendicular to the row of plants while being introduced thereinto andremoved therefrom, thus eliminating swinging or angular movements of thespindles in contact with the plants which might break the plants ordamage the spindles or associated parts.

A further object is to provide novel means for gathering the cottonremoved from the spindles, all of the cotton removed from the spindlesbeing progressively removed to a single discharge point to be collectedin a suitable receptacle.

A further object is to accomplish the removal of the cotton from thespindles by generating a flow of air along the spindles toward the freeends thereof by means of vacuum ducts having nozzles adjacent a path oftravel of the free ends of the spindles remote from the plants, and toprovide novel means associated with the ducts for catching the cottonand moving it away from the influence of the ducts and associatedelements to facilitate the gathering of the cotton.

A further object is to provide novel means for mechanically engaging thegathered cotton and then effecting a flow of air through the cotton toremove a substantial proportion of foreign material from the cotton,after which the relatively clean cotton is conveyed to a receptacle tobe collected.

-A further object is to provide means for operating the mechanicalengaging means to cause it to engage the cotton by a gripping actionduring the operation of removing foreign material from the cotton, andthen to release the engaging means from the cotton and subsequentlysubject it to a flow of air to convey it to a collecting receptacle.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred towherein the picker spindles are carried by endless chains or similardevices and to drive the endless means in such a manner that the averagespeed of the spindles rearwardly with respect to the picking vehicle isapproximately equal to the speed of movement of the vehiclelongitudinally of a row of cotton whereby the spindles are adapted tocontact the bolls of the plants without moving through and breaking theplants.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the endlessmeans are so driven that the picker spindles are moved alternatelyrelatively faster and slower rearwardly of the vehicle than the forwardspeed of the vehicle, whereby the spindles constantly move a shortdistance back and forth between the plants to insure the contacting ofthe spindles with all of the bolls to pick the greatest possibleproportion of the cotton.

A further object is to provide a novel cotton picking apparatus whereinthe various parts of the apparatus are carried by a vehicle movablelongitudinally of the rows of cotton, and to pro vide novel drive meansfor propelling the vehicle and for driving the endless means referred towith the vehicle moving at a relatively constant speed while the speedof operation of the endless means is constantly changed in the mannerreferred to. p

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred towherein the spindles project perpendicular to a row of cotton during thepicking operation and wherein the spindles are swung to angularpositions during the return runs of the endless means referred to, thusminimizing the perpendicular distance from the return runs of theendless means to the free ends of the adjacent spindles to minimize theoverall width of the apparatus and make it possible to avoid strikingthe plants of the next adjacent row by the spindles during their returnrun.

A further object is to provide a cotton picking apparatus of thecharacter referred to wherein the vehicle carries two complete cottonpicking units, and to so construct the vehicle as to provide for theadjustment of the units toward and away from each other in accordancewith varying distances between rows of cotton plants.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein all of thesupporting wheels of the vehicle are positively driven from a singlesource of power regardless of the adjusted distances between the pickingunits.

A further object is to provide a novel steering mechanism for the wheelsof the vehicle adjacent one end thereof, and to construct such steeringmechanism as to provide for the adjustment of the picking units towardand away from each other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In thisshowing- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure1,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure2,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line fll l of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the apparatus, the casing and other elementsbeing omitted to show the various driving connections and other parts,the vacuum manifolds being shown in section,

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on line 56 of Figure2, parts being broken away,

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view on line 1-1of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure7,

Figure 9 is a similar view on line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a similar view on line I0lll of Figure 7, parts being shownin elevation,

Figure 11 is a similar view on line |l--II of Figure '7,

Figure 12 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on line |2--l 2 ofFigure 7, parts being broken away,

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line l3-l 3 ofFigure 3, parts being shown in elevation and parts being broken away,

Figure 14 is an underside detail perspective view of a portion of theendless collecting screen mechanism,

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the same taken online l5l 5 of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view on linel6--|B of Figure 2,

Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional view through the cotton engaging andholding means taken substantially on the line l1l1 of Figure 2, partsbeing broken away,

Figure 18 is a plan view of the same, the beginning and end portions ofthe operating cam for the gripping elements being shown in dotted lines,and,

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view showing theadjusting means for the steering mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the numeral l0 designates the vehicle as awhole which carries and forms a part of the present invention. Thisvehicle is supported by pairs of dirigible front wheels ll, adapted tobe steered in a manner to be described, and the rear end of theapparatus is supported by similar sets of wheels l2. The presentapparatus comprises two cotton picking units generally designatedrespectively by the numerals I3 and M in Figure 1 of the drawings. Aswill become apparent, these units simultaneously pick cotton from tworows of plants, the

apparatus straddling one row of plants during the picking of the tworows on opposite sides thereof.

Means are provided for connecting the units l3 and E4 to each other andto provide for the adjustment of these units within reasonable limits toaccommodate the apparatus to relatively slight differences in thespacing of the rows of cotton plants. At spaced points from front toback of the apparatus a plurality of transverse structural members 55(Figures 2 and 3) are slidably connected to similar structural elementsll extending across the two picking units, the elements l6 and I7preferably being channelled in cross-sectional shape as shown in Figure2 with the channels it extending within the respective channels ll.Means to be described later is employed for effecting movement of theunits l3 and I4 toward and away from"each other.

A relatively heavy plate 28 extends longitudinally of the apparatusacross'the tops of the structural member i6 and is secured thereto inany suitable manner. The longitudinal edge portions of the plate 26 areoffset upwardly as at 2! (Figure 3) to overhang and provide space formovement of the channel members l's'. Parallel longitudinally extendingframe members 22 are secured to the longitudinal edge portions of theplate 23. The frame members 22 support an internal combustion engine 23which supplies power to propel the vehicle over the ground and to drivethe various parts of the apparatus to be described. The various drivingconnections from the motor will be described later.

The picking units i3 and M are duplicates of each other and accordinglyonly one need be described in detail. Each unit comprises inner andouter walls 25 and 26 respectively (Figure 3), a front wall Zl (Figures1, 2 and 5) and a rear wall 29. The front wall 2? is provided with anopening 33 (Figures 1 and 2) through which the cotton plants are adaptedto enter as the apparatus moves over the ground. The front walls of thetwo units lie behind a front wall 3! for the center of the apparatus,and this wall is provided with an opening 32, similar to the openings33, except that it is substantially wider. One row of cotton plantsmoves through the opening 2 and thence through the center of theapparatus while the two picking units pick cotton from the two adjacentrows as will become obvious. The rear wall 29 of each picking unitobviously is also provided with an opening 33 (see Figure 2). A centerwall 33, similar to the wall 3!, extends across the rear portion of theapparatus and also is provided with an opening 32. The walls 3! and 33respectively overlap the front and rear walls 2'! and 29 of the pickingunits, as shown in Figure 4, to allow for the lateral adjustment of theunits relative to each other, and the walls 3| and 33 maybe connected tothe ends of the plate 2i (Figure3) by any suitable means which need notbe illustrated in detail.

Each of the units l3 and Hi also is provided with bottom wall elements35 (Figures 2 and 3) and the bottom wall elements of each unit havetheir inner edges spaced as at 35 for the movement of successive cottonstalks through each unit. As a part of the channel frame structure ofeach picking unit angle iron or similar structural elements 3'! (Figure3) may extend from front to back of the apparatus to brace the bottomwall elements 35. Additional angle brace elements 38 also may beprovided for this purpose in view of the load carried by the elements35, as will become apparent.

Each of the picking units is provided with a plate 42 supported by andsecured to the structural elements IT. The various driving elements forthe picking units are supported by such plate as will become apparent.Adjacent its forward end each unit is provided with spaced verticalshafts 43 the lower ends of which are supported in bearings 44 (Figure2) carried by the plate 35, and the upper ends of which rotate inbearings 45 carried by the plate 42. Each of these shafts carries upperand lower sprockets 49 and 4! respectively. Similarly, each unit isprovided with spaced vertical shafts 59 (Figures 2 and 3) and each ofthese shafts carries upper and lower sprockets 5| and 52 respectively.The lower end of each shaft 50 is supported in a bearing 53, similar tothe bearings 44 and likewise supported by the plate 35. Each shaft 5|]extends upwardly through the plate 42 and is rotatable in a bearing 54carried by the plate 42. Each shaft 59 of each picking unit is driven ina manner to be described.

A chain 58 passes around each sprocket 46 and its corresponding rearsprocket 5| (Figures 2, 6 and '7) and a similar lower chain 59 passesaround each lower sprocket 47 and its corresponding rear sprocket 52.The picking mechanism associated with each pair of chains 58 and 59 ofeach unit are identical with each other and only one such mechanism needbe described in detail. Referring to Figures 6 and 11, it will be notedthat certain of the filler links of the chains 58 and 59 are providedwith outstanding lugs 69 and each of these lugs has secured againstopposite sides thereof the ends 61 of brake bands 62. The opposite ends63 of these bands may be contracted by a bolt 94 to vary the brakingaction for a purpose to be described.

A plurality of vertical tubes 68 (Figure 7) extend between the chains 58and 59, these tubes being vertically arranged and each corresponding inposition to an upper and lower brake device as just described. Each tube58 carries a head 69 at each end thereof, and each of these heads isannularly grooved as at T9 to receive one set of the brake bands 92. Thearrangement of these brake bands in the grooves described provides meansfor supporting the tubes 68 relative to the chains, and at the same timeprovides means for resisting turning movement of the tubes. The purposeof this arrangement will be referred to later.

Each of the tubes 68 is formed of longitudinal complementary sections IIand 12 as shown in Figure 10. The heads 69 form bearings to rotatablysupport a screw 13 arranged axially of each tube 68 and provided at itsupper end with a sprocket 14 (Figures 6 and 7). Each of the tubesections 12 is provided with bearing elements 15 rotatably supporting apicker spindle 11, the latter having one end projecting through a pairof the bearing elements 16 as shown in Figure and carrying a worm 18between such bearing elements meshing with the screw l9. It isobvious'therefore that each picker spindle T! will be rotated by one ofthe worms, the picker spindles being arranged in groups of a substantialnumber Lil each, horizontally arranged and slightly spaced from eachother as shown in Figure '7. The spindles Tl perform the actual pickingoperation and may be suitably roughened as at T9 to more effectivelyengage the cotton in the bolls whereby the cotton may be wound on thespindles and thus pulled from the bolls. It will become apparent laterthat the chains 58 and 59 are driven at such speed that the net speed ofmovement of the picker spindles relatively rearwardly of the apparatusin the operative runs of the chains is approximately equal to the speedof movement of the vehicle over the ground, but relatively in theopposite direction, so that the spindles do not move to break down ordamage the stalks of the cotton plants. During such operation, thepicker spindles T! are constantly rotated to effect the picking of thecotton from the plants.

While the net speed of movement of the spindles in their operative pathof travel approximately equals the speed of movement of the vehicle, amore efiicient picking operation can be accomplished by causing thespindles to travel alternately faster and slower than the speed of thevehicle to thus play back and forth between the plants to insure contactof the spindles with the cotton bolls. Otherwise, a vertical row ofspindles might enter a row of plants, in a manner to be described,centrally between a pair of plants without being brought intosubstantial contact therewith. The means for alternately acceleratingand retarding the speed of bodily movement of the spindles is shown inFigures 7, 8 and 9. Each shaft 59 is provided adjacent its upper endwith a gear 82 (Figures 2, 3, 7 and 8), the gear 82 being fixed to theshaft 59. Above the gear 82, a collar 83 (Figure 9) is fixed to theshaft 59 and carries outwardly spring pressed pawls 84 engageable withratchet teeth 85 formed within a sleeve 89 which is freely rotatablerelative to the shaft 59.

A transversely extending shaft 81 is provided for driving the two pickermechanisms of each picking unit. This shaft is supported by suitablebearings 88 which may be carried by a horizontal partition 89 spacedabove and parallel to the plate 42. The shaft 81 of each picking unit isdriven from the motor 23 in a manner to be described. Each end of theshaft 8'! of each picking unit is provided with identical means fordriving the shafts 59 of the associated picking units. Accordingly onlyone such means need be described. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, theshaft 9! is pro vided with a bevel pinion 92 meshing with a bevel pinion93 carried by the sleeve 86. The pinion 92 is fixed to the shaft 8'! andthus constantly drives the pinion 93, but the sleeve 89 is free torotate in one direction relative to the shaft 59 and accordingly thesleeve is not constantly driven by the shaft 87.

The shaft 8! carries a substantially larger mutilated bevel gear 94having sets of teeth 95, and the ends of these sets of teeth areseparated from each other as at 99. The teeth 95 engage the bevel gear82 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. It will be obvious that the spacing ofthe sets of teeth 95 provides means for successively driving andreleasing the gear 82. The driving ratio between the gear 94 and gear 82being substantially greater than the driving ratio between the pinions92 and 89, it will be apparent that when the teeth 95 engage the gear 82the shaft 59 will be positively driven at a speed greater than therotational speed of the gear 93. During such periods, the pawls 84(Figure 9) will escape over the ratchet teeth 85. After each set ofteeth 95 passes out of engagement with the gear 82, the pawls 84 will beengaged by the teeth 85 to drive the shaft 513. The rotational speed ofthe shaft 50 under the latter condition will be such that the spindlesit in their operative paths of travel will move relatively rearwardly ofthe apparatus at a speed somewhat less than the speed of movement of thevehicle over the ground. When the shaft 56 is driven by the teeth 95,the movement of th spindles ll relatively rearwardly will be slightlygreater than the speed of movement of the vehicle. Thus, while the netrearward speed of the spindles equals the forward constant speed of thevehicle, the spindles will be moving alternately faster and slower, andthus will play back and forth between the cotton plants of theassociated row.

It will be apparent that the chains 58 and 59 cause the tubes 68,spindles I! and associated elements to partake of bodily movement inaccordance with the paths defined by the chains. One run of the chainsmoves rearwardly relative to the vehicle at the side of the pickingmechanism adjacent the picking mechanism of the corresponding unit, andthis is the operative run of the chains. These runs of course will beadjacent th row of plants as will be obvious from an examination ofFigure 3. Remote from the cotton plants, the chains partake of a returnor inoperative run. During the operative runs of the chains the spindlesl! are rotated in one.

direction to gather cotton from the bolls of the plants, While in theinoperative runs of the chains cotton is removed from the spindles in amanner to be described and such removal is facilitated by oppositelyrota-ting the spindles.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, the numeral ii'ifi designates ashaft associated with each picking mechanism of each unit and journalledin a bearing it! carried by the plate 42. This shaft is driven from thepower source 23 in a manner to be described. The shaft the carries asprocket Hi2 (Figure 6) around which passes a chain I03 and this chainengages the sprockets I4 at the operative side of the chain 58. Theother end of the chain i533 of each picker unit passes around a sprocketit! mounted on a shaft H15 journalled in a bearing H36 carried by theplate 42. This mechanism will drive all of the screw shafts 13 (Figures6 and '7) throughout the operative runs of the chains 58 and 59, andthese screw shafts will rotate their associated spindles TI.

A chain mechanism substantially identical with that described forrotating the screw shafts I3 is employed in the return runs of th chains5-8 and 59 to rotate the screw shafts I3 and spindles Tl in the oppositedirection. Referring to Figures 6 and '7, a shaft Ho is journalled in abearing i it carried by the plate 42 and carries a sprocket H2 aboutwhich passes a chain H3, and this chain engages a substantial number ofthe sprockets 14, associated with the return runs of the chains 58 and59. The chain passes around a sprocket I It carried by a shaft I I5 alsosuitably supported by the plate Q2. The shafts I09 and H6 are driven inthe same direction but their respective chains engage relativelyopposite sides of the sprockets M, and accordingly the chains I53 and lis rotate their associated shafts I3, and consequently the spindles T1,in opposite directions.

It is desirable to feather the spindles 71 into the cotton plants at thepoints where the spindles enter the row at the forward end of theapparatus,

that is, at the left hand end of the structure shown in Figure 6. It issimilarly desirable to move the spindles out of the row of plants in thesame manner to prevent striking against the plants and damaging them. Atthe same time it is desirable that the spindles in the operative runs ofthe chains extend perpendicular to the row of plants being Worked, andthat the spindles be swung at an angle in the return runs of the chainsto minimize the space required for the ends of the spindles in thereturn runs of the chains. Such arrangement permits using casing walls26 close enough to the center of each picking unit to avoid interferingwith the next adjacent rows on opposite sides of the apparatus.

Mechanism for the purpose stated is shown in Figures 3 and 12, andparticularly in Figure 12. Adjacent the rear or right hand end of theoperative runs of the chains is arranged a cam H8 (Figure 12) having itsentrance end slightly curved outwardly as at H9. This cam is carried bybracket elements H26 secured against the bottom plates 35 of each pickermechanism. The cam H8 engages a roller l2l carried by an arm I22 fixedto and projecting from the lower head 69 of each of the tubes 68 (Figure7) The cam IE8 is so designed that when each arm I22 reaches a positionin alinement with the axis of the shaft 59 (Figure 12) the cam H8 willengage the roller of such arm. Continued movement of the parts willresult in movement of such roller I2I and its arm to the left as viewedin Figure 12 to impart counterclockwise rotation to the associated tube88. The successive arms I22 will move around the rear ends of theirpaths of travel without changing their perpendicular relation to the rowof cotton being worked until they reach approximately the pointindicated by the numeral 523 in Figure 12. At this point the arms I22will have been turned as far as practicable and the cam II8 from thispoint to its discharge end permits the arms E22 to alter their positionsmore gradually until they reach the angular position indicated by thearm l22 against the lower or discharge end of the cam l is in Figure 12.

It will be apparent that the turning movement of the arms I22 alsoswings the spindles I1, the spindles of each tube 68 being in verticalalinement with each other and with their corresponding arm I22. Thus thespindles move out of the row of plants in the manner indicated in Figure6. The turning movement of the tubes 68 takes place against thefrictional resistance offered by the brake bands 62 (Figure 11) From thedischarge end of the cam l I8 of each picking unit, the associatedelements I22 project at a substantial angle with respect to theiroriginal positions, as will be apparent. These positions are maintainedthroughout the return runs of the associated chains 58 and 59.Therefore, in the return runs of the chains the spindles TI occupy theparallel angular positions shown at the bottom of Figure 6, thusminimizing the distance-from the axes of the screw shafts 13 to theextremities of the spindles H in a direction perpendicular to thedirection of movement of the vehicle. This arrangement permits theopposite walls 25 and 26 (Figure 3) of each picking unit to be arrangedcloser together and thus permit narrower picking units to be employedand avoid striking and breaking the adjacent plants.

As previously stated it is desired to move the spindles TI into the rowsbeing picked at an angle perpendicular to the rows to avoid any swingingof the spindles as they pass around the sprockets 4B (Figure 6) sincesuch operation would cause the spindles to strike against the plants andbreak or damage them. Referring to Figure 12, each arm I22 carries acircular portion I25 and at the side of such portion opposite thecorresponding arm I22 is formed a series of gear teeth I26 adapted tomesh with the corresponding teeth I21 carried by a plate I28 secured asat I29 to the associated bottom plate 35. As the successive tubes 38pass around the sprocket 45, the teeth I26 will engage the teeth I2? toswing the successive tubes (58 in a clockwise direction until the armI22 of each successive tube 68 assumes the position indicated by thenumeral I30 at the left hand end of Figure 12. The picking spindles I!of such tube will occupy the same angular position.

After the tube ti; has been moved so that its arm I22 and spindles Ifoccupy the position indicated by the numeral 53E, movement of thecorresponding tube 58 a distance approximately equal to the distancebetween an adjacent pair of spindles will bring such tube to theposition indicated by the numeral I 3 I in Figure 12, in which positionthe arm I22 and spindles 'I'I will be arranged approximatelyperpendicular to the row of plants from which cotton is being picked. Atsuch point, the roller I2I associated with the tube I58 being consideredwill engage a substantially U-shaped cam trackway I32 secured to theassociated plate 32 by bracket elements I33. The cam trackway I32 is soshaped that the spindles 'I'i associated with the rollers IZI passingtherethrough will be held perpendicular to the row of plants until theplane of the associated spindles TI coincides with the axis of the shaft43. At such point each successive roller I25! will be released from thecam trackway I32 and the spindles ll will move in the operative runs ofthe chains 58 and 59 while remaining perpendicular to the row of cottonplants.

In this connection it will be apparent that the turning movements of thetubes 68 effected by the gear teeth I25 and Iiil and by the cam trackwayI32 will take place against the resistance of the brake devices shown inFigure 11. These brake devices likewise frictionally, but notpositively, hold the plane of each set of spindles 'I'I perpendicular tothe row of plants, but substantial contact of the spindles with a plantcan turn them against the resistance of their brake devices to whateverextent is necessary to avoid damage to the plants. It will be apparentthat such turning movement will always be minor in extent since the netspeed of movement of the spindles ll in the operative runs of the chainsrearwardly of the apparatus is equal to the forward speed of thevehicle. I

The apparatus is provided adjacent and within each of the walls 235 and225 (Figure 3) of each of the pickin units with means for removingcotton from the spindles l? in the return runs of the chains 59 and 59while the spindles are rotated by the chains M in a direction oppositeto the direction of rotation imparted to the spindles by the chainsIiiii. Referring to Figures 3, '7 and 13, the numeral I35 designates avacuum manifold arranged within and against each of the walls 25 and 26.These manifolds are identical and only one need be described in detail.Each manifold 35 is formed of three sections indicated by the brackets536 in Figure 13. Each of the sections I35 includes vertical side ductsI3! and I38 and a central duct I39. The side duct I31 10 extends to thebottom of the section and then laterally as at I40 to communicate withan opening I 4|. The other side duct I38 extends vertically downwardlyas shown at the left hand side of Figure 13, and then laterally as atI42 to communicate with a central opening I43 directly above the openingMI. The central duct I39 extends downwardly to terminate above theoffset I42 and communicates directly with an opening I44. It will benoted that the openings I4I, I43 and I44 of each section are in verticalalinement with each other. The distance from the top of each opening I44to the bottom of each opening MI is preferably slightly greater than thedistance between the uppermost spindle 'I'I (Figure 7) and the lowermostspindle of each set. Means are provided for effectin a rapid exhaust ofair from the ducts I31, I38, I39 to cause exhaust. air from the interiorof the casing of each picking unit, and this operation effects a flow ofair along the spindles II of each group toward the free ends thereof asthe latter pass each set of openings I4I, I43 and I44. This movement ofair takes place during the reverse rotation of the spindles as effectedby the chains I I3 (Figure 6), such reverse rotation tending to loosenand unwind the picked cotton while the flow of air along the spindlesfeeds the loose cotton along the spindles and thence to the openings III, I43 and I44. The upper end of each manifold I35 communicatesdirectly with the lower end of a duct I46 (Figure 3) which tapers toincrease in width toward its upper end and is inclined inwardly for areason to be referred to later. Each duct I46 extends through the plate89 as shown in Figure 3.

Within the runs of each chain of each picking mechanism is arranged amanifold I50 similar to the manifold I35 and having the openingscorresponding to the openings I4I, I43 and I 44 facing toward andarranged adjacent the opera tive runs of the chains 58. Inasmuch asthese manifolds are preferably identical with the manifolds I35 theyhave not been illustrated in detail. The manifolds I50 have their upperends directly communicating with flared ducts I5I extending through thepartition 89. The function of the vacuum manifolds I50 is to effect aflow of air away from the 'free ends of the spindles TI to assist inpulling the cotton being picked on to the spindles I1 and to tend toswing branches of the cotton plants laterally to better assure thecontact of the spindles 11 with all of the bolls. Any cotton which mayfind its way into the manifolds I50 will be collected in the same manneras cotton moving through the manifolds I35, as will become apparent.

Above the partition 89 is arranged a pair of chains I54 passing aroundsprockets I55 and I56 carried by shafts I51 and I58 (Figures 2 and 3).These shafts are arranged in horizontal alinement and are journalled inbearings I59. The chains carry therebetween a plurality of cottongathering frames I60 (Figures 2, 3 and 14). Each of these framescomprises a frame element I GI which is preferably rectangular andelongated transversely of the apparatus. The frame elements are of suchwidth as to permit each of them to be supported by the pivot pins I 62of alternate pairs of links of the chains I 54 as shown in Figure 14.Each frame element I 6| carries a plurality of closely arranged bladesI63 (Figures 14 and 15) these blades being arranged parallel to the longsides of the frame elements I6I. The frames I60 form, in eifect, ascreen through which the cotton cannot pass, without providing anyelements to which the cotton can adhere or around which it can becometangled as would be true of an ordinary wire screen. The lower runs ofthe chains I54, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, pass over the partition 89parallel thereto and just above the upper ends of the flared ducts I46and I5I. The cotton moving upwardly through ducts I46 will be gatheredon the bottoms of the lower frames I60 as the latter move with thechains I54. Any cotton which should happen to pass upwardly through theducts I5I will be similarly gathered by the frames I60.

Above the chains I 54 of each gathering unit is formed a housing I65 inwhich is arranged a large fan I66. The fan I66 has its shaft journalledin a lower bearing I61 having opposite projections I68 (Figure 4)supported by transverse members I69 anchored at their ends to oppositesides of the housing I65. The shaft of the fan also is supported in abearing I (Figure 3) carried by the top wall I1I of the housing I65. Thefan is driven in a manner to be described.

It will be noted that the top wall I1I of the housing I65 is providedwith louvers I12 for the relatively free escape of air upwardly from theapparatus as pumped by the fan. The housing I65 has its opposite sidesI13 transversely of the apparatus relatively flat except that it isbulged as at I14 to receive the diametrically opposite extremities ofthe fan I66. The bulged portions I14 project beyond the side walls and26 to provide overhangs for a purpose to be described.

The fan I66 operates to create the vacuum necessary for the functioningof the manifolds I and I50 and the ducts I46 and I5I associatedtherewith. In order to increase the efficiency of the apparatus so faras the vacuum is concerned, by providing for a direct flow of air fromthe ducts I46 and I5I to the fan I66, a pair of flared ducts I16 ispreferably arranged between the runs of the chains I54 and are securedto the side walls 26 by suitable brackets I18. These brackets projectbetween the runs of the chains I54 as shown in Figure 3. Similar flaredducts I80 serve the same purpose with respect to the ducts I5I and aresecured to the side walls 26 by rods I80 secured to the side walls 26.It will be apparent that except for the break required for the framesI60 in the lower runs of the chains I54, the ducts I5I and I80 aresubstantial continuations of each other, and the same is true of theducts I46 and I16.

The casing I65 is connected to a rearwardly extending casing I8I theinterior of which is separated from the fan casing by a vertical crosspartition I8I' except for the projection of the chains I54 andassociated elements beneath the lower edge of the partition NH. Thecasing I8I is provided with an upper wall I62 which slopes downwardlyand rearwardly as shown in Figure 2 to form a rear wall I82. The casingI8I is likewise provided with a bottom wall I83 and the casing I8I isconnected to the main housing portions of the apparatus and is braced asat I84 with respect thereto. The bottom wall I83 is provided with arelatively large opening I85 for a purpose to be described.

Within the casing I8I is arranged a pair of spaced horizontal shafts I86and I81 journalled at their ends in bearings I88 arranged adjacent theside walls I13 which extend rearwardly to form the side Walls of thecasing hill. The shafts I86 and I81 are respectively provided withsprockets I90 and I9I and spaced chains I92 pass around these sprockets.The chains I92 have alternate links thereof connected as at I93 (Figure1'1) to cotton collecting devices I64 which are somewhat similar to theframes I60 previously described. Each collecting device I94 comprises arectangular frame I96 similar to the frame I6I, each frame I beingelongated transversely of the apparatus and each being arranged in closeproximity to the next adjacent frame. Each frame I95 includes endmembers I96 (Figure 18) which carry pairs of cotton engaging and holdingmembers I91 and I88. The members I91 are fixed to the end members I66while the members I88 are slidable in openings I99 formed in the endmembers I96 as shown in Figure 17.

The members I91 and I98 are made from the same material as the membersI63 (Figures 14 and 15), being relatively wide and thin. and each memberI98 is arranged in face to face sliding relationship with its associatedmember I91. At one side of each frame member the members I98 areconnected by a header 280 and springs ZIlI urge the members I88 in onedirection for a purpose to be described. Each member I91 is cut in itslower edge in saw tooth formation having vertical edges 282 facing inone direction. Each member I80 is similarly saw toothed, but in theopposite direction, to provide vertical edges 203 facing the respectiveedges 202 to grip cotton therebetween under the influence of the springpressure exerted by the springs 20L The ends of the members I88 oppositethe header 200 are connected by a similar header 205 carrying aprojecting arm 266 on the free end of which is journalled a roller 201.This roller is engaged by a cam trackway 266 during a portion of thetravel of the chains I92 as will be particularly described later.

Any suitable means may be provided for driving the chains I92. Forexample. the shafts I58 and I86 of each picking unit ma be provided withsprockets 2 I 8 around which pass a chain 2! I. The means for drivingthe chains I56 will be referred to later.

A vacuum manifold 2I5 (Figures 2 and 16) extends transversely of eachchamber I8-I adjacent and just above the lower runs of the cot-- toncollecting devices I94. The opposite ends of the manifolds 2I5 areconnected to ducts 2I6 extending through the respective walls I65 andI13. After extending through these walls the ducts 2I6 turn upwardly asat 2I1, and then forwardly as at 2 I 8 (Figures 2, 3 and 4:). At theirforward ends, the ducts ZI8 turn upwardly and communicate with thechamber beneath the fan I66 but extending through the overhang providedby the bulged wall I14. Accordingly the opposite peripheral portions ofthe fan I66 will be effective for exhausting air from the manifold 2I5to maintain a partial vacuum therein. and this manifold is provided inits bottom wall with openings 220 (Figure 2) adjacent the tops of thelower runs of the cotton collecting devices I94.

Each cotton picking unit is provided with a duct 22I (Figures 2 and 16)overlying the bottom wall I83 of the chamber I8I and having its forwardend overlying the partition 89. The rear end of the duct 22! has its topside open as at 222 beneath the bottom runs of the cotton collectingdevices I 94 and opposite the manifold 2I5. The forward end of the duct22I has its top open as at 223 adjacent the right hand extremity of thelower runs of the cotton collecting members I60, A partition 222'extends vertically between the upper and lower runs of the cottoncollecting members Hit and above the upper run of these collectors ahorizontal partition 223 extends forwardly from the wall NH. Thepartitions 222' and 223' are spaced apart only sufficiently for thepassage of the successive members I60 therebetween to block off thechamber to the right of the partition 222 from the partial vacuumcreated beneath the fan M58. The side walls 26 and 21 of the unit areprovided with air openings 2241 for the flow of air into the chamberreferred to, thus insuring a passage of air downwardly through thecollecting members over the duct opening 223. Thus the cotton collectedagainst the members ifiil will be forced'into and through the duct 22ii. The cotton moving through and from the rear end of the duct 22! willcollect against the collecting devices I94 as these devices successivelypass beneath the manifold 2I5.

It is during the movement of the collecting devices IQA beneath themanifold 215 that the gripping edges 282 and 2% (Figure 17) are broughtinto playv As such point is approached, the roller 20'! of each cottoncollecting device will move from the discharge end (Figure 18) of thecam 208, thus releasing the slidable members I98 to be moved toward theleft as viewed in Figure 17 by the springs Elli. The cotton movingagainst the bottoms of the cotton collecting devices will have portionsthereof gripped between the edges 202 and 253 and the cotton will beheld in posi-.

tion against the gripping devices until the cam 20B again moves theslidable elements I98 to a released position, will be described.

With cotton held by the collecting devices as they move toward the rightin Figure 2 from beneath the manifold 2E5, such devices and the cottonheld thereby will pass beneath a manifold 230 (Figure 2) extendingtransversely between the u per lo er runs of the chains I92 and havingopenings 25H in the bottom thereof adjacent the lower engaging devicesI94 by which the cotton is being held. One end of each manifold 238communicates with a vertical duct 232 (Figures 2 and 4) and this ductdirectly communicates with a top duct arranged on and extending over thetop wall !82 of the chamber I8I and the top wall ill of the fan housing.The ducts 233 of. the two p cking units extend inwardly across the topwalls referred to at angles as shown in Figure l. and communicate withthe pressure side of the fan housing E55 through openings 234 (Figure3). Accordingly the fan will pump air through the ducts 233 and 232 andthis air will be discharged downwardly through the manifolds of the twounits. This discharged air is forced downwardly through the cotton beingcarried by the devices We and is discharged through openings N35. Thepurpose of this flow of air is to remove sticks, leaves and otherforeign matter from the cotton.

A horizontal partition 23B is arranged between the upper and lower runsof the chains M2 (Figure 2) above the manifolds 2 l and 230 and avertical partition 239 extends downwardly between these two manifolds toprevent them from interfering with each other in their operations. Abovethe partition 233 is arranged a horizontal manifold 240 extendingtransversely of each picking unit as shown in Figure 16. The manifold2M3 has one end connected to a vertical duct 2M tapped into theassociated duct 233 so that air also flows into the manifold 2th. Thetop of this manifold is provided with openings 242 having louvers 243inclined upwardly at an angle toward the center of the apparatus asshown in Figure 16.

Each wall I65 (Figures 4 and 16) is provided with a discharge opening246 for the discharge of cotton from the upper engaging members its. Inthis connection it will be noted that the cam 208 has its entrance end26? arranged at the approach side of the manifold 2% and opening 246 toengage the roller 261 of each successive device I 94 to pull theslidable elements H98 to the cotton releasing position against thetension of the springs ZllI as each device HM comes to a positionbetween the manifold 240 and opening 246. The air flowing upwardlythrough openings 2 2, therefore, will blow the released cotton upwardlyand toward the center of the apparatus for discharge through theopenings 2% of the two units. Each unit preferably has spaced partitions245 (Figures 2, 4 and 16) to confine the cotton for movement to theopenings 2%.

The top walls I82 of the chambers Itil support a cover plate 250covering the space 25f between the walls I13. The cover plate 25d may besecured at one side of the top wall E82 of one of the picking units andmay be slidable in guides 252 (Figure 2) carried by the top wall I32 ofthe other unit so as to allow for relative movement of the units towardeach other. The cover plate 251] prevents cotton from being blown out ofthe top of the space 25L A relatively long basket 253 is arranged in thespace 25f and is supported on flanges 254 carried by the walls !65. Thebasket 253 is of substantial length as shown in Figure 4, the front andrear ends of the basket extending substantially beyond the front andrear limits of the openings 246 to prevent cotton blown through theopenings 246 from dropping beyond the ends of the basket. While thesides of the basket have been shown in Figures 4 and 16 as lying againstthe walls I65, it will be understood that the two picking units areshown in the drawings in the adjusted positions in which they areclosest together, and accordingly the two units are readily adjustablewith respect to each other. The basket 253 is preferably of a widthequal to the minimum distance between the walls Ifiii of the two pickingunits.

The members It and l'i (Figures 2 and 3) form means intermediate theheight of the apparatus for connecting the two units for movement towardand away from each other. It is also preferred that some similarslidable connection be provided across the top of the apparatus toafford stability in the adjusting operation. For this purpose eachcasing l is provided with channeled. structural elements 255 spaced fromeach other as shown in Figure 2. The corresponding members 255 of thetwo units are connected by slidahle structural element 256, similar tothe member it which slides relative to the elements ll.

As previously stated, the motor 23 drives all of the operating parts ofthe mechanism and also propels the vehicle over the ground. All of thesupporting wheels of the vehicle are positively driven and the drivemeans directly associated with the various pairs of wheels are identicaland only one such means need be described in detail. Each pair of wheelsHI and i2 is fixed to a shaft 269 (Figure 1) and this shaft carries abevel gear 26I meshing with a similar gear 252. The rota tion of eachgear 252, therefore, rotates one pair of the wheels Ii or If. The frontwheels ii are carried by forks 2E3 fixed to the lower ends of thetubular members 264. These tubular members are slidable in bearings 265for a purpose to be described. The rear wheels I2 are similarlyrotatably supported by forks 266 fixed to the lower ends of sleeves 251.Such sleeves are mounted in the ends of bracket members 263 but arefixed against sliding movement with respect thereto. In order to securethe bracket members 238 to the sleeves 261, the bracket members may havetheir perpendicular portions split and clamped about the sleeves 261 bybolts 269.

The motor 23 may be provided with a clutch and transmission housing 212,as shown in Figure 5. This housing contains a conventional clutch (notshown) operative by a pedal 213, and any desired type of transmission(not shown) within the housing 212 is operable by a gear shift lever214. The elements referred to control the transmission of power from theengine 23 to a drive shaft 215, and this shaft may be provided with asuitable brake 216. At the rear end of the apparatus is arranged adifferential 211 which delivers power in the usual way to oppositelyextending shafts 218. Each of these shafts, in turn, is connected to ashaft 219 by means of a slip joint 230 which permits the shafts 219 tobe moved endwise relative to the shaft 218 to provide for adjustments ofthepicking units toward and away from each other. The shaft 215 issupported in bearings 28I carried by the engine supports 22. while theshafts 219 are supported by bearings 232 carried by the rear ends of thelower casings of the two picking units.

The bevel gear 262 of each pair of rear wheels I2 is carried by thelower end of a shaft 285 (Figures 2 and and the upper end of each shaft285 carries a bevel gear 236 meshing with a sin'lilar gear 281 carriedby the adjacent end of the corresponding shaft 219. Thus the pairs ofrear wheels I2 are driven from the engine and each set is permitted torotate at different speeds by the normal operation of the differential211.

The forward end of the shaft 215 also carries a differential 29!!(Figures 1 and 5) and this differential has opposite output shafts 29Ieach of which is connected by a universal joint 232 to a sleeve 293having splined connection with a shaft 294 to accommodate the shaftreferred to, to adjustments of the picking units toward and away fromeach other. Each shaft 294 is connected by a universal joint 295 to ashaft 296 carrying a bevel gear 291 meshing with a similar gear 298 onthe upper end of a shaft 299 which carries the bevel gear 262. The gears231 and 238 are arranged in a housing 330 which has been omitted inFigure 5 to show the gears referred to in solid lines. The housing 339is provided with an integral bracket portion 33! to brace the shaft 296with respect to the corresponding tubular member 264.

As previously stated, the tubular members 234 are vertically slidable intheir bearings 255. A pivot connection 305 is provided between eachsleeve 264 and a fork 3% carried by a shaft 301. Integral alined sleevemembers 303 (Figure 1) receive the respective shafts 331 and havesplined connection therewith to permit adjustment of the picking unitsas stated. The adjacent ends of the sleeves 338 are integral with aflattened bear- 313 to rigidly connect the sleeves 338 to the body ofthe vehicle. The elements 301 and 358 constitute a lever which providesdownward movement of one pair of wheels I 5 while the other pairpartakes of upward movement, thus permitting the wheels of the vehicleto accommodate themselves Gil to uneven surfaces over which theapparatus passes.

The vehicle is adapted to be steered by tuming a conventional steeringwheel 3I5 mounted forwardly of a forward drivers seat 3I6 (Figure 1) andconnected to a conventional steering column 311. The latter, in turn,operates through a conventional worm and gear or other conventionalsteering connection 3I8 which operates to rock a shaft 3I9 to swing anarm 320. This arm is provided at its lower end with a fork 32I (Figures1 and 2) slotted to receive trunnions 322 carried by a tie rod 323. Thisrod has opposite ends slidable in sleeves 324 and each of these sleevescarries a preferably integral alined extension 325 havinga conventionalball and socket connection 326 with an arm 321 carried by the associatedsleeve 264.

One of the sleeves 324 and the elements associated therewith are shownin Figure 19. The tie rod 323 has the top of the portion thereofarranged in the sleeve notched as at 333 to receive a sliding pin 33I bymeans of which the rod 323 and sleeve 324 may be locked together. Thelocking pin 33! is connected by a link 332 with one end of a lever 333pivoted intermediate its ends to a boss 334 carried by the sleeve 324.The opposite end of the lever 333 has a down turned finger 335engageable between lugs 336 carried by and projecting outwardly from thecasing wall 21. A suitable Bowden wire 331 (Figures 1 and 19) connectsone end of each lever 333 with an oper-. ating handle 338 by means ofwhich the operator can swing the levers 333. When this lever is in theposition shown in Figure 19 the elements 323, 324 and 325 are lockedtogether to move as a unit when the steering wheel 3I5 is turned, tothus turn the front wheels II to steer the vehicle. When the lever 333is swung in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 19,the pin 33I will be released from the notches 330 and the finger 335will engage between the lugs 336 to lock the corresponding sleeve 324against movement. This operation is performed to disconnect the steeringwheel 3I5 from the wheels I I during adjustment of the picking units I3and I4 toward or away from each other. When these units have beensuitably adjusted the levers 333 are returned to the normal positionshown in Figure 19 to permit the steering of the wheels.

The chains 58, 59, I03 and I I3 derive their driving power from the rearshafts 219 (Figure 5) by means of a drive shaft 342 associated with eachpicking unit. The drive means for the elements of each unit beingidentical, only one need be described in detail. Referring to Figure 5,it will be noted that the shaft 342 of each unit is supported inbearings 343 and 344 and is provided at its rear end with a bevel gear345 meshing with a similar gear 346 carried by the associated shaft 213.At its forward end the shaft 342 carries a bevel gear 348 meshing with abevel gear 349 carried by the shaft 81 previously described. The shaft81 thus will be rotated to drive the chains 58 and 59 by the meanspreviously described and shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. It will be obviousthat each shaft 81 carries the drive means in Figures '1, 8 and 9 ateach end to drive all of the ing portion 339 through which extends aking pin.

chains 58 and 59 of the corresponding picking unit.

Another shaft 352 is arranged parallel to the shaft 81 and carries aspur gear 353 meshing with a similar gear 354 carried by the shaft 81.As previously stated, the chains I03 and H3 (Figures 5 and 6) arerespectively driven by the shafts I00 and III). Referring to Figures 3and it will be noted that the shafts I88 and H9 respectively carry bevelgears 355 and 356 and these gears mesh respectively with similar gears351 and 358 carried by the shaft 352. Accordingly it will be apparentthat the chain mechanisms of the picker mechanisms will be driven by theshaft 352 of each unit from the rear drive shafts 219.

The shaft 81 of each unit is also utilized to drive the correspondingshaft I58 of the cotton gathering mechanism. Referring to Figure 3, itwill be noted that each shaft 81 projects through the duct I46 and wallI13 of each unit and carries a sprocket 360 around which passes a chain36I. The shaft I58 projects through the same wall and carries a sprocket362 around which the chain 36I passes. Accordingly the shaft I58 isdriven from the shaft 81, and, in turn, drives the shaft I86 andassociated elements (Figure 2) through the chain 2| I.

Each of the fans I66 is driven from its associated rear shaft 219.Referring to Figure 5 the numeral 365 designates a gear carried by eachrear shaft 219 and meshing with a bevel gear 366 (Figure 2) carried bythe lower end of a vertical shaft 361 mounted in bearings 368. The upperend of each shaft 361 carries a gear 369 preferably housed as at 319 andengaging a bevel gear 31I carried by one end of a shaft 312. This shaftis journalled in bearings 313 carried by the top wall "I and extendsangularly forwardly as shown in Figure 5. The forward end of each shaft312 carries a bevel gear 314 preferably housed as at 315 and meshingwith a similar gear 316 mounted on the upper end of the corresponding.fan shaft.

Means are provided for positively moving the units I3 and I4 toward andaway from each other. The forward wall 3| (Figure 1) and the rear wall33 (Figure 5) are each provided with a bearing 380 in which is mounted ashaft 38I fixed against longitudinal movement by collars 382 mountedthereon and engaging each side of the bearing 380. The opposite ends ofthe shafts 38I are threaded as at 383, the threads on the end of eachshaft being reversed with respect to each other. These threaded endsoperate through internally threaded sleeves 384 carried by the frontwalls 21 and rear walls 29.

The front shaft 38I is provided with a bevel gear 385 (Figures 1 and 5)meshing with a similar gear 386 carried by a shaft 381 extending fromfront to back of the apparatus and provided at its rear end with a bevelgear 388 meshin with a similar gear 389 on the rear shaft38l. It will beapparent that the two shafts 38I are thus simultaneously rotatable andthat the operation of the threads 383 in the sleeves 384 will move thepicking units I3 and I4 toward and away from each other. Rotationalmovement of the shafts 38I is provided by means of a wheel 398 carriedby the upper end of a shaft 39I (Figure 1), and the lower end of theshaft 39I carries a bevel gear 392 meshing with a similar gear 393carried by the front shaft 38I.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

As previously stated the apparatus is adapted to simultaneously pickcotton from two rows and to bridge over an intervening row during suchoperation. The purpose of this is to provide a vehicle which willsimultaneously pick two rows and still be wider than would be possibleif two adjacent rows were picked. In this way the vehicle has muchgreater stability in operation. As is well known, there is somevariation in the distances 18 between rows of farm crops, particularlywhen they are hand planted. This variation is not great but it isnecessary to compensate for it in order to render the present apparatuspracticable.

The first step in the operation of the apparatus, therefore, is toadjust the units I3 and I4 toward or away from each other, if necessary,to accommodate the two picking mechanisms to the two rows of cotton tobe initially picked. Before entering the rows, the operator may measurethe distance between the first and third rows, for example, and assumingthat adjustment is necessary, the operator will first pull the Bowdenwire handle 338 (Figure 1) to rock the lever 333 (Figure 19). Thisoperation releases the locking finger 33I from the notch 338 engagedthereby, and will move the finger 335 between the two lugs 336. In thisconnection it will be noted that the locking finger 335 will be inproper position for such operation when the dirigible front wheels I Iat opposite sides of the vehicle are parallel to each other. Theoperator will make certain of this parallelism before operating thelever 333 and the latter operation will release the wheels II frommechanical connection with the rod 323 and will lock each rod 325 to thefront wall of the associated picking unit, thus holding the Wheels II inparallelism.

In the embodiment of the invention shown two operators are required, oneto operate the control elements 3I5, 338 and 390 (Figure 1) and theother to operate the control elements 213, 214 and 216 (Figure 5). Whenthe front wheels have been looked as stated, the rear operator willstart the vehicle by conventional operation of the clutch pedal 213(Figure 5) and gear shift lever 214. With the vehicle moving slowly'over the ground, the front operator will rotate the Wheel 398 in onedirection, depending upon whether the picking units are to be movedcloser together or further apart. Rotation of the wheel 398 rotates thefront shaft 38I (Figures 1 and 5) through gears 392 and 393, while theback shaft 38I will be simultaneously rotated by the shaft 381 and itsgear connections with the shafts 38I. Rotation of the shafts 38I feedsthe screws 383 thereof through the threaded sleeves 384 to move theunits I3 and I4 slowly toward or away from each other.

During the adjustment of the units toward and away from each other it isessential that the front wheels I I be held in parallelism so that theywill be in the proper relationship when again mechanically connected tothe steering wheel. It is for this reason that the front wheels arelocked during the adjusting operation and the vehicle travels over theground as the two units I3 and I4 are adjusted toward and away from eachother, all of the supporting wheels of the vehicle graduallyside-slipping over the ground. The rows of cotton to be picked willnever vary more than one foot in their distances apart, and accordinglythe maximum distance of adjustment for each unit would be six inches.This adjustment can readily gradually take place during forward movementof the vehicle over a reasonable distance of travel. After theadjustment as to width of the rows is accomplished, the operator willpush downwardly on the handle 338 to restore the normal position of eachlever 333 (Figure 19) to again unlock the wheels H and mechanicallyconnect them to the steering wheel 3 I 5. The apparatus is now ready forthe pickin operation.

The vehicle may be readily driven and steered to place it in properalinement with the first two rows of cotton to be picked. The vehiclewill be driven forwardly with the two rows of cotton entering theopenings 35 in the respective walls 21.

The sprocket of each picking unit is driven through the gearing shown inFigures '7, 8 and 9, and the shaft 87 carrying the gears 92 and 94 ofeach unit will be driven from the shaft 342 and its bevel gears 348 and349. The shaft 342, in turn, is driven by the shaft Z'IQ through gears345 and 346. The driving of the sprockets 5I effects bodily movement ofthe tubes 68 which carry the picker spindles II. In the operative runsof the chains 58 associated with the sprockets 45 and 5|, that is, atthe upper side of the view shown in Figure 6, the picker spindles I!will be arranged perpendicular to the length of the row of plants fromwhich cotton is to be picked by such picking unit. The cam mechanism inFigure 12 functions in the manner previously described to move thespindles 'I'I into the row of plants adjacent the front end of theapparatus in the same perpendicular relationship, and accordingly thespindles do not swing about the axis 43 to strike against the plants. Atthe ends of the operative runs of the chains 58, the picker spindles'I'I similarly move out of the row of plants by virtue of the operationof the cam I I8, for the same reason.

As previously stated, the net rearward speed of the tubes 68 andspindles I'I rearwardly relative 'to the vehicle is the same as theforward speed of the vehicle relative to the ground. Therefore, thespindles 'II enter the row between the plants and each vertical row ofspindles will remain between the same adjacent pair of plants throughoutthe rearward travel of the spindles. To insure against a vertical row ofspindles entering midway between the plants of an adjacent pair andremaining in such position throughout their rearward relative travel,under which conditions the cotton bolls would not be properly contacted,the gearing shown at the top of Figure '7 and in Figures 8 and 9 isemployed. This gearing alternately speeds up and slows down the relativerearward travel of the operative spindles I! to cause them to move backand forth between the plants of the adjacent pair between which theyoperate. The gear 93 is constantly driven at a uniform speed by the gear92 and when this drive means is operative for rotating the associatedsprocket 5|, the rearward movement of the operative spindles 'I'Irelative to the vehicle will be slightly slower than the speed ofmovement of the vehicle over the ground. Such operation takes place whenthe blank spots 96 of the gear 94 are opposite the gear 82. Betweenthese points, the gear segments will engage the gear 82 and momentarilydrive this gear, and hence the shaft 50 and sprocket 5!, at a somewhatgreater speed and at such times the speed of movement of the spindles'I'l relative to the vehicle will be slightly greater than the speed ofmovement of the vehicle over the ground. The overrunning clutch shown inFigure 9 permits this operation to take place, as described. Thealternate acceleration and deceleration in the movement of the operatingspindles 7'! causes each vertical row of the latter to move back andforth between the plants of the adjacent pair between which they.

are arranged, thus insuring greater contact of the spindles TI with thecotton bolls.

During the operative runs of the spindles 11 these elements are rotatedon their own axes to engage and wind thereon the cotton with which itcomes in contact. The chain I03 (Figure 6) of clear of the plants.

each picking unit has one run thereof engaging the sprockets I4associated with the tubes extending along the operative run of the chain58. The chain I I33 is operated by the sprocket H12 and this sprocket isdriven by the associated gear 355. This gear, in turn, is driven by thegear 351 carried by the shaft 352, and the gear 353 on such shaft isdriven by the gear 354 on the associated shaft 81. Thus, as the spindles1'! move rearwardly in their operative runs, the Worms I8 thereon willbe driven by the screw shaft I3 (Figures '7 and 10). Thus it will beapparent that in their operative runs the spindles I! move rearwardlyrelative to the vehicle and play back and forth between the adjacentplants to insure contact of the spindles with all of the cotton in thebolls of the plants, while the spindles I! are being rotated in onedirection to wind the cotton thereon.

As the chain 58 of each unit passes around the sprocket 5| (Figure 6)the cam II8 (Figure 12) will cause the spindles TI to remainperpendicular to the length of the row of plants in which it has justbeen operating until the spindles are Thereafter, the spindles willassume the angular positions shown in Figure 6 during their return runsto minimize the distance from the centers of the shafts 43 and 50,.tothe outside wall 26 of the corresponding unit. By this arrangement theoverall width of theapparatus is maintained less than the distancebetween the two rows of plants outwardly of the apparatus.

During the return runs of the chains 58 the spindles 'I'I are rotated inthe direction opposite their direction of rotation during the pickingoperation described. This reverse rotation of the spindles isaccomplished by engagement of the sprockets 74 (Figure 6) by the chainIl'3. This chain is driven by the sprocket II2 which is rotated in theopposite direction from the sprocket I50. However, the side of'the chainII3 Which engages the sprocket is opposite relatively to the side I 03which engages the sprockets, and these sprockets have opposite sidesengaged by the chain I 03 and H3. Therefore the rotation of thesprockets I4 by the chain I I3 is opposite the direction of rotation ofthe sprockets imparted by the chain I03. Thus during at least a portionof the return run of the spindles I! of each picking mechanism, thesespindles will be reversely rotated with respect to their rotation whilepicking cotton. This reverse rotation tends to loosen the cotton whichhas been ,wound on the spindles, thus greatly facilitating the removalof the cotton.

During the operative runs of the spindles 11 the vacuum manifold I50(Figure 3) will create a flow of air transversely of the cotton plantstoward the manifold I50, this manifold having openings similar to thoseshown in Figure 13. The various branches of the cotton plant extend inall directions radially around the plant and the function of themanifold I 50 is to tend to swing the branches of the cotton plantssufiiciently to insure the engagement of the spindles IT with all of thecotton bolls during the picking operation.

During the return runs of the spindles 'I'! the similar vacuum manifoldI35 removes the cotton from the spindles. As stated, the reverserotation of the spindles I! in their return runs tends to unwind andthus loosen the cotton from the spindles and this makes it quite easyfor the manifold openings I4I, I43 and I44 (Figure 13) of each manifoldI35 to remove the cotton from the spindles. The manifold I 35 is subjectto a

